You probably think of gratitude as a nice sentiment to have, but not something that’s going to change your health. You might be surprised then to learn about all the health benefits that practicing gratitude can provide! Gratitude is good for you physically and mentally. Here are 10 health benefits of practicing gratitude, along with tips on how you can start practicing more right now.

Somedays I just feel blah. I am not happy with my body, my fitness progress, or life in general. On those days, I try to remind myself to stop and practice gratitude. I know it will make me feel better in the moment but it will also help me be a healthier person.

10 Amazing Health Benefits of Practicing Gratitude

1. Practicing gratitude helps you feel happier! If you are happier, you are likely going to take better care of yourself, exercise more often, and make healthier choices.
2. Over time, gratitude practice can change the way your brain processes information to help you see the good in situations more easily.
3. Acknowledging what we have and who we are, making us more appreciative and content. You will be able to let go of the comparison game and see your own progress in life.
4. Practicing gratitude reduces the risk of depression and anxiety. It’s a proven fact!
5. When we practice gratitude, it helps reduce stress and negative emotions and lowers cortisol in your body. If your hormones are in balance it can be easier for us to lose weight and reach our fitness goals.
6. Gratitude improves our relationships with others and our relationship with ourselves.
7. Thinking of things we are grateful for before bed can improve our sleep.
8. Practicing gratitude helps us enjoy the present moment more fully by shifting focus from what’s missing to what’s here now.
9. Gratitude has been shown to help lower inflammation in our bodies, reducing the risk of all kinds of health issues.
10. Gratitude is like exercise for your mind. Your mental and physical health are linked. If you are in good shape mentally then you can be in better shape physically.

How to Start a Daily Gratitude Practice

Now that you’ve seen some of the great health benefits of practicing gratitude, here are some of my favorite ways to practice being grateful every day!

– Start, or end, your day by writing down three things you’re thankful for (or both!)

It is great to keep everything written down so that you can go back and look at it over time and realize how much you have to be grateful for. You could keep this in the gratitude journal or gratitude jar or anywhere that’s easy for you to see and look back at.

-Add gratitude to your workout- try to think of something you are grateful for with each rep or turn a long run/walk into a time to pray and give thanks.

-At mealtimes sit with your family or roommates and share what everyone is grateful for. Who knows? It might shift the whole mood of the room and bring you closer together!

-Write a thank-you note or email to someone. Not only will, you feel better but you will also make the person receiving the note feel good too.

-Say thank you often.

-Meditate. Meditation is a great way to help you focus on the here and now and be grateful for what is present in your life.

-Set up gratitude cues or reminders around your home or workplace to remind you of all the things you have to be grateful for. This could be pictures, quotes, anything that makes you feel happy.

I’ve been practicing gratitude for a few months now, and it has really helped me stay grounded. Every day, I take some time to think about the things that are going well in my life – big or small. And of course there are days where this is more difficult than others, but being grateful for what you have helps put everything into perspective which can help ease stress tremendously. So if you want more mental clarity and physical health benefits like these, start practicing gratitude today!